New To Mechanical Keyboards

[mrmatt]

Hello, I am new to mechanical keyboards and hoping to get one for about $100 or less. From what I have seen it seems like I have a few choices, however I have some concerns that I would I like ask about before buying anything.

Options
1.CM Storm Quickfire Rapid. I like the look of this keyboard because it is tenkeyless and it uses the Cherry MX Blues. I haven't heard anything negative about it, and it seems to be a really good deal. I think that the only issue that I have with it would be that ideally I would like to have MX Browns, but I am unsure at this point.
2.Rosewill RK-9000(BR). This seems to be a really good deal as well, if not a little bit over my budget. It does have the option to use MX Browns or Blues, however I have heard that the mini-USB port is somewhat flimsy and I want to make sure that I won't have issues down the road with having to try and replace a port or something as I have little experience that would allow me to do that.
3.Razor BW With MX Blue switches. This is also pretty affordable, however it seems like an inferior choice to the aforementioned CM Storm Quickfire Rapid as far as QA and such go.

These are all the major choices that I have seen from the retailers that I know of to look at for keyboards. If I could get some advice on where would be a good place to purchase from as well that would be awesome. Thanks!
mrmatt

[CaiSter21]

the only difference between blues and browns is the sound. so if loud clicky sounds arent a problem for you, then go with the quickfire.
you can get them for around $70 now

[vurt]

Welcome to GH!

I would recommend going with the CM Storm. In my opinion, blues are the best switch to start on [they are what I started on] and my personal favorite to date. I am currently using a board with browns right now and the real only noticeable difference to me is the audible click, and as far as I'm concerned they feel relatively the same. Again, this all comes down to your personal preference and just going with your gut. In the event you hate it, I'm sure you would have no trouble selling it here on classifieds for close to what you paid for it. All that being said, I would not recommend going with the Razer, simply because the keycaps are garbage and I personally have heard mixed reports about their reliability. I'm also not a fan of backlighting or macro/media keys. Simple = Perfection. Hope I was able to shed some light on your decision =]

[mrmatt]

Well, I think that I would prefer it to be a little bit quieter with the browns if its a plausible thing to do. Is it possible to eventually just replace the blue switches with brown down the road? I know it would be a bit of an undertaking, but it sounds like it would be a fun project to work on.

[ReAzem]

the only difference between blues and browns is the sound. so if loud clicky sounds arent a problem for you, then go with the quickfire.
you can get them for around $70 now

Have you tried both switches to say that?

Blues are way more tactile than browns.

[mrmatt]

Welcome to GH!

I would recommend going with the CM Storm. In my opinion, blues are the best switch to start on [they are what I started on] and my personal favorite to date. I am currently using a board with browns right now and the real only noticeable difference to me is the audible click, and as far as I'm concerned they feel relatively the same. Again, this all comes down to your personal preference and just going with your gut. In the event you hate it, I'm sure you would have no trouble selling it here on classifieds for close to what you paid for it. All that being said, I would not recommend going with the Razer, simply because the keycaps are garbage and I personally have heard mixed reports about their reliability. I'm also not a fan of backlighting or macro/media keys. Simple = Perfection. Hope I was able to shed some light on your decision =]

I feel the same way about simplicity and such. Are there any other lower priced tenkeyless boards that I should look at or should I just start with the Storm?

[vurt]

The Leopold tenkeyless model on http://www.EliteKeyboards.com is nice I hear, but it uses Cherry stabilizers which some people dislike. I personally don't mind them too much.

...buy the CM Storm =]

[sam113101]

Nothing negative about the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid?
-It's over branded, their logo is everywhere, that's just ridiculous.
-No rubber on the feet (which elevate your keyboard… don't know how they're called exactly).
-It has a fn key (negative point for me, might be a positive thing for you).
-The font is sometime centered on the key, sometime not. That looks weird.

I would personally get a filco instead. Yes they are more expensive, but it's worth the extra money I think.
That will probably not be your last mechanical keyboard. You'll want to try them all (switches) and the price
won't matter anymore ;p

[vurt]

Nothing negative about the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid?
-It's over branded, their logo is everywhere, that's just ridiculous.
-No rubber on the feet (which elevate your keyboard… don't know how they're called exactly).
-It has a fn key (negative point for me, might be a positive thing for you).
-The font is sometime centered on the key, sometime not. That looks weird.

I would personally get a filco instead. Yes they are more expensive, but it's worth the extra money I think.
That will probably not be your last mechanical keyboard. You'll want to try them all (switches) and the price
won't matter anymore ;p

He is actually right IMO, if you can save a little bit longer get a Filco. However, if you are on a REALLY tight budget the CM is probably the way to go. Sure it's over-branded and I don't personally know about this off-center font issue, but both can be easily fixed with buying a new set of keycaps later when you have the money. Every mech keyboard I've owned [Das Model S, Ducky Shine, WASD v1, IBM Model M, Poker] besides Filco doesn't have rubber feet either, so it's not really that uncommon. Fn key is a moot point.

tl;dr - If you are willing to save or wait a bit, get something like a Filco. Good things come to those who wait. If you are really that strapped for cash and are an instant satisfaction person like me, get the CM.

[mrmatt]

He is actually right IMO, if you can save a little bit longer get a Filco. However, if you are on a REALLY tight budget the CM is probably the way to go. Sure it's over-branded and I don't personally know about this off-center font issue, but both can be easily fixed with buying a new set of keycaps later when you have the money. Every mech keyboard I've owned [Das Model S, Ducky Shine, WASD v1, IBM Model M, Poker] besides Filco doesn't have rubber feet either, so it's not really that uncommon. Fn key is a moot point.

tl;dr - If you are willing to save or wait a bit, get something like a Filco. Good things come to those who wait. If you are really that strapped for cash and are an instant satisfaction person like me, get the CM.

Would something like a Leopold Tenkeyless maybe be a better buy? I found one for 110 on elitekeyboard, and it seems to be similar to what I'm wanting for only $110. I am trying to find somewhere to buy a Filco for a comparable price, but haven't found anywhere yet.

[sth]

Would something like a Leopold Tenkeyless maybe be a better buy? I found one for 110 on elitekeyboard, and it seems to be similar to what I'm wanting for only $110. I am trying to find somewhere to buy a Filco for a comparable price, but haven't found anywhere yet.

The Leopold uses Cherry stabilizers. If you don't know the difference you probably won't care until you start buying more keyboards. I have a white Leo TKL and I love it.

[thegunner100]

The CM Storm is only $64.73 now, so i'd recommend it as a starting point.

[vurt]

The Leopold uses Cherry stabilizers. If you don't know the difference you probably won't care until you start buying more keyboards. I have a white Leo TKL and I love it.

^ this

Also thegunner100, I don't know where you are pricing things but the CM Storm is still $80 on Cooler Master US Store. Either way, whatever floats your boat man. It will probably all be the same difference to you at the start until you start browsing this forum more and begin dumping your bank balance =].

[thegunner100]

Right here

[mrmatt]

^ this

Also thegunner100, I don't know where you are pricing things but the CM Storm is still $80 on Cooler Master US Store. Either way, whatever floats your boat man. It will probably all be the same difference to you at the start until you start browsing this forum more and begin dumping your bank balance =].

I think I'm just going to pay a little more to get the Leopold tenkeyless off of elitekeyboards. Thank you for your advice!

[sth]

The off-white one is the best deal for sure; there is no difference between the white and black Leopolds other than price.

[mrmatt]

The off-white one is the best deal for sure; there is no difference between the white and black Leopolds other than price.

Will the off white one get dirty easily? I'm not familiar with that type of finish and how it fares on a keyboard.

[sth]

A black keyboard will get just as dirty as a white keyboard. You just have to, you know, clean it from time to time. And maybe not be a slob (hard for some?).

[Aranair]

Dust shows up ALOT more on black than white. However, if you drop coffee or get grease and what nots on your whites, its screwed ;P

But then again, you should be washing your hands before using and not have drinks near the keyboards imo. Personally, I prefer whites.

[anselben]

I started out on a das with blues and love it. Sound isn't a problem for me, and the feel is great. Hopefully soon going to get into either blacks or reds.

[andyhoang]

Right here

Nice deal you probably want to consider.

[stingrae]

People over do how 'loud' blues are, they aren't loud they are sharp, any other mx keyboard being typed on by the same person is probably just as loud.

CM Storm is a cheap filco like board and yes it has negatives (keycaps, rubber coating, overbranding and no rubber on raised feet) it also has a huge list of positives (Costar built, costar stabalizers, Filco sized space bar (so replacing caps is a bit easier), removeable usb cable and a fn media layer).

What do you get with a filco over a CM Storm? Less branding (1 brand point vs 3 (not counting keycaps since those can be changed and people usually abandon filco keycaps as well), Matte finish and option to have a full size keyboard.

So what it comes down to is horses for courses; personally I don't touch the rubber finish at all while typing, I have used my noppoo pom keycaps unti I got board the other day (difference is minimal but pom are better) and I don't look at the keyboard when im using it so how many logos it has don't affect me. However if I had the money I would probably still buy a filco (I just prefer minimalistic styles).